India and the Philippines announce partnership to strengthen trade, defense and maritime ties

India and the Philippines announced an upgraded strategic partnership Tuesday that they said will deepen trade, defense and maritime cooperation between the two nations. The countries announced the agreement after bilateral talks in New Delhi between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. India’s foreign ministry spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, said the sides also agreed to expand partnerships in space, tourism, culture and digital technologies.